Belmore Falls: Why visit this Southern Highlands waterfall?

Belmore Falls in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales is tricky to get to. But the walk to Belmore Falls offers spectacular scenes of the waterfall plunging down the Illawarra Escarpment in three stages.

Belmore Falls isn’t quite as well known as its cousin in the Morton National Park, Fitzroy Falls. That’s mainly because Fitzroy Falls is closer to the more appealing towns in the Southern Highlands, such as Bowral (home of the Bradman Museum), Bundanoon and Berrima.

Belmore Falls is not far from Fitzroy Falls, however. It’s a snaking 16 minute drive to the north-east. But the nearest town is workaday, humdrum Robertson, and the dirt road to the waterfall is narrow and winding. Hence Belmore Falls doesn’t get quite as much attention.

Southern Highlands waterfalls: Visiting Belmore Falls

If you’re having a drive around the Southern Highlands, however, Belmore Falls is worth a visit. It can easily be worked into the drive from Sydney to Canberra, or a Sydney to Albury road trip. It’s a series of three waterfalls, rather than just one, as Barrengarry Creek takes a dramatic plunge off the Illawarra Escarpment. The thrill of Belmore Falls comes from the three stage deep drop rather than the power of the water flow.

5 great Southern Highlands experiences to boost your visit

Personalised private Southern Highlands wine and attractions tours – tailored to your tastes.
Tutored wine-tasting and canapes experience.
Beekeeping experience – learn how honey is made.
Guided wine-tasting at the Mill – with tasting notes procided.
Behind the scenes tour of a sustainable winery in Berrima.

The walk to Belmore Falls kicks off at the Hindmarsh Lookout car park. There’s a pretty marvellous view of Kangaroo Valley available straight away, and the walking trail winds around the escarpment. There are several lookouts along the way, and the final lookout gives a majestic view of Belmore Falls.

Belmore Falls in the Morton National Park, Southern Highlands, New South Wales. Photo by Filippo Rivetti.

If you can tear your attention away from the show-stealing sandstone bulges en route, there is plenty of native flora to take in. Wattle, banksia, honey flower and tea-tree are among the more common plants.

Belmore Falls walking track

The Belmore Falls walking track is a relatively short one. It’s just 1.8km return, and should take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on how many times you stop to admire the view. But there are plenty of steps, so it’s rated as a Grade 3 walk. See the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service website for more details.

Other waterfalls close to Robertson include Carrington Falls and Gerringong Falls in the Budderoo National Park.